Rourkela: If you are looking for a quick getaway from the city chaos, the new ecotourism park on the banks of the Sarfgarh water reservoir is the place to be. Regarded as a one-of-a kind destination in Odisha, the ecotourism park has been constructed by the Sundargarh forest department.

"We are going to throw it open to the public in the next three weeks as some minor work left in the cottages," said Sundargarh divisional forest officer Arun K. Mishra. He said the park had come up in amid the deep jungles where wild animals roamed free.

The park had come up in the Lefripara block on the banks of Sarfgarh Medium Irrigation Reservoir, nearly 40km from Sundargarh, and nearly 100km from Rourkela.

"There is a pucca road from Sundargarh. A 3km long non-concrete road leads to the park from the Badunjharia village," said Mishra, who conceived and executed the project. The reservoir has come up on the banks of Ichha river, he informed.

"The place is picturesque as you have enough wildlife on all sides and a hill range on the opposite side to add to the beauty," said Mishra.

The site also has modern facilities for visitors who want to stay there. "We have four air-conditioned tents for which we will charge Rs 3,000 a day. Alongside, visitors will have a dining room where they get food of their choice," said Mishra.

Besides, it has boating facilities and two four-seater and eight-seater steamers each, apart from pedal boats. "The charge per head is Rs 200 for the four-seater and Rs 150 for the eight-seater steamer."

The reservoir remains almost full throughout the year. Besides, there are resting areas, where the visitor will get cement benches and pagoda-like rest sheds for visitors to order food and enjoy the place.

The place has one reception area. The department has also recruited the help of local residents.

"The forest department trained four local residents - three girls and a boy - at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management in Bhubaneswar for three months and they will manage the place with our help," said Mishra.

"Besides, we have nature trail and provision for indigenous angling. We will introduce the western method in the future."

Bookings for the cottages will be open after its formal inauguration and it will be done online by logging on to www.ecotourodisha.com.